7-Day Sugar Detox

I know what you're thinking - and YES.  Seven days does seem like a long time to go without sugar. 

But if you've been following me for a while, you know that I'm all about listening to your body.  And my body has been telling me that I need to lay off the added sugar for a week and help "reset" my gut after weeks of traveling.  I've done this before and have noticed a huge difference in my digestive system, which is one of the reasons why I'm accepting the challenge (again)!

Notice I said "added sugar".  That's because I'm not completely cutting out sugar - I'm not crazy!  I'm still allowing myself fruit (in moderation) once or twice a day (usually in my oats or smoothies).  What I am removing are added sugars (honey, agave, maple syrup, nectars of any kind, and coconut sugar) from my diet for these seven days.  

I'm sure you're wondering 1) WHY I'm doing this, and 2) WHAT I expect to gain from this challenge.  

WHY: I have been traveling for at least 3/4 weeks now, and as you might expect, have indulged in a few treats along the way.  (Especially at the Natural Product Expo, which was basically a nut butter and chocolate MECCA.) Here are a few things that I've noticed with my body:

• slower digestive tract (you know what I'm talking about...ugh.
• bloating (which is from both the slower digestion and inflammation in my gut from all of the extra fats/sugars)
• low energy levels
• cravings (like, legit GIMME-ALL-THE-SUGAR cravings)
• moodiness
• more breakouts (I don't usually have blemishes pop up unless my diet is out of whack or around that time of the month)

WHAT: During my previous sugar-detox challenge (which I did when Further Food was doing theirs), there were a few benefits that I noticed.  I'm hoping to see the same this time, too!  A few of those were:

• better overall digestion (cause let's face it, we're all a little happier when we have good bowel habits - HAHA!)
• less bloating, especially around the from of my belly
• higher energy levels (likely due to more stable blood sugars)
• reduced cravings
• more steady moods (my husband and kids would say "THANK YOU")
• clearer skin

The dates for this challenge are Monday (the 26th) through Sunday (the 1st).  I'll definitely keep you guys up to date on how I'm feeling and how my progress is going, both on here and my Instagram feed. 

If you'd like to join me, you're more than welcome to!  You don't have to start on the same day I did - just make sure to do seven full days.  One tip for you: don't search "#dessert" on Instagram.  Just don't do it.  It makes those first few days SOOO much harder.  Trust me.  If you see something that looks decedent, just double tap, bookmark/screenshot it, and then keep on scrolling, boo. 

I also will be sharing some great NO SUGAR ADDED options for you, like these Flourless Blender Muffins (with creamy cashew butter) I made earlier this week.  The banana in them helps to curb that sweet tooth, and the fats from the nut butter keeps you feeling satisfied.  You're welcome. 

Once you've finished your seven days (yay!), then S L O W L Y integrate added sugars back into your diet (read: DON'T go out and have a hot fudge sundae, as much as you might like to!).  Your nice, reset gut might boycott that approach.  

If you do choose to join me, please tag me in your posts!  I'd love to follow along with your challenge and cheer you on! 

Have a great evening, loves!

Blessings,

Apple Pie Overnight Oats

If you're looking for an easy, nutrient-dense, TASTY breakfast option, I've got two words for you: OVERNIGHT OATS.

These make-ahead oats are life. changing.  I mean it.  They literally take 2 minutes to throw together and the flavor combinations you can make are endless.  I have a few faves of my own, such as Banana Bread Chocolate Chip, Chocolate PB, and Strawberries n' Cream.  

Now I have another ah-mazical combo to add to the list: APPLE PIE.

That's right, everything you love in an apple pie, thrown into a mason jar and left to sit overnight till it gets all creamy and delicious.  AND it's healthy, so there's that.  #yourewelcome

I know, you're probably salivating already, so I'll get right to it.

APPLE PIE OVERNIGHT OATS

Prep Time: 2 minutes

"Cook" Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Oats:

- 1/2 C rolled oats (I've been using a local brand - Pecan Point Farms - and LOVE the texture it gives the overnight oats.  If you're in the Columbus/Phenix City area, you can find them at Market Days on Saturdays!)

- 1/2 C unsweetened almond milk

- 1/4 C LifeWay organic unsweetened/plain kefir (for good gut health)

- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

- 1 Tbsp organic chia seeds

- 1 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce

- 2 tsp lucuma powder (this adds a really nice caramel flavor to anything - you can buy it on Amazon for a great price)

- Optional: 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup

Toppings: 

- 1/4-1/2 organic apple, diced

- a handful of Michele's Granola Apple Quinoa granola

- 1 Tbsp of Georgia Grinder's Cinnamon Vanilla Pecan Peanut Butter (all natural and SO delicious!)

- a dash or two more of cinnamon

- 1-2 scoops Vital Proteins grassfed collagen peptides (for an extra boost of complete protein)

INSTRUCTIONS

Add the first list of ingredients into a mason jar (or sealable container) and shake/stir till well combined.  Let sit, covered, in the fridge overnight (or at least 4 hours).  When you're ready to eat them, stir in the collagen peptides and top with the rest of the ingredients.  If you want to get a bit fancy (and have the time), you can quickly saute the diced apples in a little ghee (or cooking spray) with cinnamon.  That just adds even more of an apple-pie feel.

These are usually served cold, but you're welcome to warm the oats for a few minutes if you'd like.  I also enjoy eating them wearing leggings and boots while sipping on a homemade pumpkin spice almond milk latte.  Yes, I know, I'm as basic as they come.  

Enjoy, friends!

Blessings,

XOXO

Smile with Confidence

““A smile is the light into the window of your soul.””

— Anonymous

Here's something you may not know about me: I've always been self-conscious about my smile.

When I was younger, my teeth were overcrowded.  I didn't take care of them like I should have, so my enamel was weak, my teeth were super sensitive, and I had way more cavities than I'd care to admit [cringe].  

When my husband proposed to me (waaaay back in 2009), he gifted me with something most people would think was an odd gift: braces.  Yep, my man paid for me to get braces - haha.  He did it knowing that it was something I was self-conscious about, and he wanted me to feel confident on our wedding day.  (I just love him.)

So, I wore braces for a whole 3 months.  That's right, it only took 3 months to correct most of my issues.  I went every. two. weeks. and had those puppies tightened.  If you're thinking "ouch", you'd be correct.

Once I got those off, I decided to whiten them using whitening gel provided by my dentist.  I got dramatic results, but good lawd, did those treatments make my teeth even more s e n s i t i v e.  

I didn't whiten my teeth any more because of this sensitivity.  Even after having stains from drinking coffee for years, white teeth just wasn't worth the sensitivity I felt for months afterwards.  

And theeeeen I found Smile Brilliant.

I had been stalking this company for a while on Instagram and liked the reviews I had read.  What convinced me to try them?  They include a DESENSITIZING GEL for you to use after the whitening gel to minimize sensitivity.  Whaaaat?!  Sign me up!

THE PROCESS:

I received my product and immediately went ahead and "made my trays".  This may sound weird to do at home, but all it entails is pouring the blue gel into the molds, biting down on them, and leaving them in for about a minute or so until they harden.  It couldn't be easier - and there are instructions for those of us who have trouble following the rules...haha.  

Once I made my mold, I shipped it back to the company.  I received my custom whitening trays a couple of weeks later, and (of course) they fit perfectly.

I started the whitening process by leaving the gel on for 30 minutes - just so my teeth could get use to it.  I increased the time every few days until I could leave it on for an hour at a time.  I did this for a total of 2 weeks.  

THE RESULTS:

I believe in 100% transparency with you guys, so I'm gonna keep it real here.  

I didn't see the same "dramatic" results I saw when I whitened before.  BUT that could be because 1) the gel wasn't as strong (which is not a bad thing, because it can damage the enamel of your teeth if it's too strong), and 2) many of my front teeth have partial composite fillings, meaning the stains will never totally come off, no matter how much I whiten them. 

What I DID see was an overall brighter smile that I could feel good about.  I don't notice the coffee stains like I did before, and I feel like it made them "pop" a little.  Let's be honest, a little "pop" is enough for me.  I ain't looking for no Chiclet-white teeth. ;) AND I don't have the sensitivity I had before, which is faaaabulous!  

I still use the gel from time to time (think once every other month) when I want a little boost, and it really does help to brighten my teeth up again - even after just an hour of wearing the trays.  

The whole point of this is that - thanks to Smile Brilliant - I can feel confident in my smile again.  Confidence is key, you guys!  It doesn't matter if you have the whitest, straightest teeth in the world.  It matters that you feel your BEST - and that your confidence shows.  

So say "cheese", y'all! 

[If you'd like to know more about Smile Brilliant, here are some links for you.  And be sure to use the code "JAYME" for a little discount!]

Benefits of Custom Trays

Smile Brilliant Testimonials

Sensitive Teeth

Things to Know Being Buying

Where to Buy